WASHINGTON — When Brett Baty arrived at Nationals Park on Tuesday and checked the lineup card hanging outdoors the clubhouse kitchen, he didn’t cease scanning as soon as he noticed his identify. Also catching Baty’s eye was the truth that the Mets’ fifth via eighth hitters had been, so as: Mark Vientos, Francisco Alvarez, himself and Ronny Mauricio — all rookies, two of whom the Mets simply referred to as up final week.
“That’s probably the first thing I noticed,” Baty mentioned. “It was cool how we were just all back-to-back-to-back.”
All 4 are inside two years of age, none older than 23. They got here up collectively via the system, overlapping at varied associates alongside the best way. All 4 had been in massive league camp in every of the final two springs, fostering a bond that is still tight. They are mates, teammates and — on this evening — youthful wrecking balls.
Combined, the rookie quartet completed 5-for-13 with a house run, a triple, a double, 4 RBIs and 5 runs scored within the Mets’ 11-5 win over the Nationals. Baty and Mauricio added some noteworthy performs on protection, whereas Alvarez caught all seven innings of José Quintana’s deepest and strongest begin of the season.
“It’s incredible that we’re all in the lineup together,” Alvarez mentioned via an interpreter. “It makes me feel like whenever we’re all in the lineup, there’s something we can do. There’s something each and every one of them are going to do, because I have that confidence in them that they can go out there and produce.”
Alvarez, the youngest of the bunch, was the one who sparked issues, crushing a three-run homer off Patrick Corbin within the first inning to provide the Mets a lead they’d by no means relinquish. Coming into the sport, the rookie catcher had gone 88 consecutive plate appearances with no homer. He later added a stroll, a double and even his first profession stolen base, which emboldened Alvarez sufficient to quip that he hopes to steal 20 baggage subsequent season.
Baty, who likes to child Alvarez about his velocity, somewhat loved that sequence. He additionally appreciated watching Vientos report his first profession triple on a ball to the deepest a part of Nationals Park. Within minutes, Baty had joined the social gathering himself with a two-run hit. Then there was Mauricio, who singled within the eighth inning to develop into one among 11 gamers in Mets historical past to start his profession with a four-game hitting streak.
“It’s amazing,” mentioned veteran outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who went deep twice as a part of a five-homer Mets assault. “They bring a lot of energy. They bring a lot of grit. They’re trying to make a statement, and that’s huge. Especially in September, I think it brings a lot of energy to the rest of us. We’re eager to play with them and see what we’re capable of.”
Outside of maybe Alvarez, who’s a near-lock to open subsequent season because the Mets’ beginning catcher, not one of the different rookies are assured jobs. Baty nonetheless profiles because the crew’s long-term third baseman, however he should present the Mets extra on either side of the ball. Vientos has provided flashes of his power-hitting potential, significantly in latest days, however he too should develop into a extra constant participant. Mauricio, in the meantime, is simply simply starting his Major League journey. The Mets intend to make use of September to determine what sort of hitter he may be — and the place he most closely fits defensively.
Imperfections apart, the Mets imagine these 4 make up one of the crucial impactful younger position-player cores within the Majors. Needless to say, crew officers are watching carefully.
In the closing moments of Tuesday’s sport, Mauricio ranged over from second base — an unnatural place for him — properly into foul floor to seize an Alex Call pop-up. Three batters later, Baty backhanded a Joey Meneses grounder, turned, and threw 150 toes throughout the diamond to report the ultimate out at first base.
“We feel good about it,” supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned when requested concerning the rookies’ futures. “It’s always important for them to take advantage of an opportunity because of the memories you leave, and the evaluations. Nobody knows. But you run them out there. It’s a sticky, hot, tough time, and they’ve brought some energy to us.”
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